Niceties

That word does not fit into my mouth well. According to the 'Google definitions', I take sub. 3 that reads, "a minor aspect of polite social behavior; a detail of etiquette." All in all, it really doesn't fit what I thought it would, but it is enough for me to gripe about today.

That being said, how often do we walk by people, on the street, at the market, at church, etc. and we do the "Hi! How ya doing?" And everyone generally lies, and says, "Fine. And you?" Then we all lie back. I know, right?

Last night I was at the Post until about 7pm, then headed back towards my regular pub (closer to home). For some reason, my brother was 'pissing me off' and I just wanted away from him. Either way, at my regular pub, whilst I am smoking a cigarette outside, I say hi to people coming in, even if I don't know them. It was this whole niceties thing going on. I admit it. When people asked me first, I would say 'I'm better' but no one asked why I would be doing better - was I sick, had I been, was I dying of cancer?

Ugh! Manners maketh the man. Heard that in 'The Kingsmen' or one of those.... I agree about manners, but is greetings, not one person stopped to listen. And I doubt, that had I been in their shoes, I would have stopped and listened.

I think one of the best things I have taught myself over the last 30 years of my life, is to learn to stop and listen. I don't care if it was to one of the kids, a random stranger walking by me, a co-worker... To stop and listen takes no effort on your part. and once you hear, you understand more of what that person is going through, or had been through. I'm one of the first to claim I don't wanna know, leave me out of it, but sometimes.... it just is.

Something to think about....

PeacE